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C. E. BOWLES PORTABLE CHAIR June 18, 1940.

Filed June l0, 1939 l aowe Patented June 18, 1940 PORTABLE CHAIR i VCarl E. Bowles, `Lewiston, Idaho, assignerv of i fifteen percent to Vincent L. Neal, and thirty- Qi'oilr percent to Earl Sumpter, both of'Lewiston, Idaho x L `Application June 1o, 1939. serial No. 278,569 somma. `(cuss-133) This vinventionfrelates` to, a portable chair designed primarily for detachable connection to the seat boards of stadiums,` stationary and foldable grandstandspcrevlewing t stands, :bleachers and supported planks," but `it is to be understood thatua `portable chair, in accordance with this invention is for use in anyfconnectlon for which `itmay befound applicable.` Le r The invention aimswto provide, in a manner asl hereinafter set `forth, `a chair of the class referred to including ranzupstanding substantially rigid supporting elementtfor` mounting on and for detachablefconnection toa support, such as a1 seat board, and a bendableelement `connected tothe said other element and providing the chair' with a padded` seat and a bendable back functioning to prevent discomfiture to the user when the chairisattachedf to theseat `board and which would not be the case if the seat board was employed without thechair.` ,t

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth a chair of the r class referredto `includingga substantially rigid `the chair in position when the latter is connectedi i' frame and bendalole` means anchored at its ends to the endsv of the frame for taking up the strain of the weight of the occupant of the chair length wiser'of `the frame therebyl tending to maintain to `aiseat board. i v i The `invention ,further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth 'a chair of v the class referred to including a bendable 'element providing a seat anda back, a supporting frame occasion requires. h

for, and `to which-said element is connected, and

said frame and element being so constructed that` the element is capable of `being expeditiously re' moved, from the frame for laundering it when The invention further aims` to provide, in a. manner as vhereinafter set forth, a chair for the purpose referred to including an upstanding angle shaped frame opemat `one end,` means arh ranged within said open end to prevent the sides ofthe Vframe from moving towards eachother and meansucorrelated with the said other means to prevent the spreading apart of the sides ofV the frame. t t

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a chair for the purpose referred to` which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, affording a maximum of comfort to the t user, readily assembled, conveniently attached in upstanding position relative to a support therefor, thoroughly elcient in thel use intended therefor, readily portable when desired, comparatively light in weight, quickly assembled and disassembled when occasion requires, and comparatively inexpensive to set' up.

Embodying the aims aforesaid and others which 5 may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and a1'- rangement of parts as will be more specifically described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of l0 the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 isa front elevation of a chair, in accordance with this invention assembled for use,

Figure 2 is a view looking towards one side of the chair and with the chair shown partly in elevation, broken away and partly in length- 20 wise section,

Figure 3 is a top plan view, upon an enlarged scale illustrating a portion of the seat of the chair and a portion of the side rails of the latter,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4--4, Figure 2 upon 25 an enlarged scale, and

V 'Figure 5 is a section on line 5 5, Figure 3.

v, The chair includes la substantially rigid framelike supporting element l formed from a length of metal stock,'preferab1y tubular and which is 30' bent to provide the element I with a base 2, and an upstanding back 3 disposed at an angle with respect to the rear or inner end of the base 2. The stock from which the element. I is constructed will be'of -any desirable weight t'o en- 35r able the convenient transporting of the chair from point to point by the user. The base 2 consists of `a pair of spaced parallel horizontally disposed parts 4 of the stock and are open at their outer ends,` as at 5. Each of the parts 4 40 is formed diametrically thereof with an opening 6 positioned in proximity to its open end 5. 'I'he parts 4 may be termed the side rails of the base 2. The base 2 is open at its front and rear end.` The openings 6 of one of the parts 4 align 45 with the openings 6 in the `other of the said parts 6.

The back 3 is of inverted yoke-shape and inclines rearwardly from itslower end throughout with respect to the rear end of the base 2. 50 The back 3 consists of a pair of spaced parallel upstanding parts 1 and a substantially archshaped part 8 of the stock. Parts 'l are the side rails of the back and merge at their lower ends into the inner or rear ends of the parts 4. The 55 back 3 is open at its lower end. The part 6 forms a closed top for the back, is termed a top rail and has its ends merge into the upper' ends of the parts 1.

The chair includes a bendable combined chair seat and chair back forming element 9 consisting of a web I6 oi' suitable textile material formed in ,a manner to provide it with an intermediate portion II, an upper fold I2 and a lower i'old I3. Thesaid folds are arranged against the4 inner face oi the intermediate portion II.

'I'he latter is of materially greater length than said folds. The fold I2 is of less length than the fold I3. When element 9 is set up relative to element I the fold I2 depends from the closed top of the back 3 and the fold I3 extends rearwardly from the open front of the base 2. The i'old I2 is secured to the body of the web III by stitching I4 thereby providing element 9 with an upper tube or hem I5 extending from one side to the other side of element 9. The fold I3 rearwardly of and in proximity to the bend from which it extends is secured to the body oi the web I6 by a row oi.' stitching I6 which forms element 9 with a lower or front tube or hem I1 extending from one side edge to the other side edge of the web I0. The fold I3 in close proximity to its rear end is secured to the web I0 by a. row of stitching I8 located at the bend between the base 2 and the back 3. The fold I3 in proximity to its side edges, between the stitching I6 and I9 is secured to the body oi the web I0 by the rows of stitching I9. The fold I3 in connection with a portion of the web I0 and the stitching I6, I8 and I9 forms a pocket 20 in which is arranged a seat pad 2I, which is anchored to the web I0 by the rows of stitching 22. That portion oi the web I9 between the stitchings I4, I8 and indicated at 23 provides the chair with a bendable back for the user. 'I'hat portion of element 9 in which is arranged the pad 2i Aconstitutes a seat 24 for the user. The width of element 9 is less than the width of the base 2 and the back 3 oi the element I. The element 9 has its tube or hem I5 disposed in encompassing relation with respect to the part 8 of the element I. A tubular rung 25 extends through the tube or hem I1 of the element. 9 and said rung 25 is adapted to be detachably connected to the element I in a manner to be referred to. The part 6 and ring 25 provide for detachably connecting the element 9 to the element I. 'I'he rung 25 not only provides means for connecting the web I0 intermediate its ends to the element I, but also constitutes a brace for the parts 4 of the base 2.

The tubular rung 25 is arranged between the parts 4 of the base 2 in proximity to the open ends of said parts 4. The ends of the rung 25 bear against the inner sides of the said parts 4 of the base 2 and the inner diameter of said rung 25 corresponds to the diameter of the openings 6. These latter align with the open ends of the rung 25. The latter prevents the shifting of the parts 4 of the base 2 towards each other. The rung 25 is detachably connected to the parts 4 of the base 2 by an elongated bolt 26 having a head 21 at one end and peripheral threads at its other end. The bolt 26 is of a length to extend through the rung 25 and the parts `II of the base 2. The bolt 26 passes through the openings 6 in the said parts 4. The head 21 abuts against the outer side of one part 4'of the base 2 The threaded end of the bolt 26 extends beyond the outer side of the other part 4 of the base 2.l 'rime threaded end of the boit 2s is provided with a holding or clamping nut 28 which, when the bolt is mounted in coupling orl connecting position. bears against the outer side of one o! the parts 4 of the base 2. The bolt 26 in connection with its head 21 and the nut 23 prevents the spreading oi the parts 4 of the base 2.

The chair includes a pair of coupler elements 29 of like form for connecting the chair in an upstanding position upon the seat board or other support. Each ot the elements 29 is horizontally disposed and is oi yoke-like form opening inwardly. Each element 29 consists of a vertically disposed front 36, a horizontally arranged bottoni 3I and a horizontally disposed top 32. The latter is formed of a circular head 33 and an inner portion 34 of circular cross section. 'I'he portion 34 is of less diameter than the head 33 whereby at the junction of the portion 34 with the head 33, the top 32 is formed with a peripheral shoulder 35. The diameter of they head 33 corresponds to the outer diameter of the parts 4. The upper end of the iront 33 Vmerges into the head 33. The lower end of the front 30 merges into the outer end of the bottom 3l. The front 30 and the bottom 3l are of substantially oval contour in transverse section. The cross sectional length of the front 36 and the bottom 3I is greater than the diameter of the portion 34 oi' the top 32. The portion 34 of the top 32 is formed intermediate its ends with a diametrically disposed opening 36. The portions 34 of the elements 29 are extended into the open fronts of the parts 4 of the base 2, and when so arranged the shoulders 35 abut the outer end edges of the said parts 4. The fronts 36 of the elements 29 are disposed in depending relation with respect to .the parts 4 of the base 2. The bottoms 3I of the elements 29 are disposed in parallel spaced relation with respect to the parts 4 of the base 2. When the portions 34 of the tops 32 are arranged ln the said parts 4, the openings 36 align with the openings 6 and when the bolt 26 is secured to the said parts 4 the shank of the bolt extends through the openings 36 and the said portions 34 whereby the couplers 29 are secured to the base 2 of the element I.

When the chair is mounted on a seat board or plank, the base 2 is positioned on the top of the latter, the fronts 30 of the couplers 29 abut the outer lengthwise edge of the seat board or plank and the bottoms 3l of the couplers 29 are arranged below and parallel to the lower face of the seat board or plank whereby the chair is detachably connected to the plank in an upstanding position.

When the chair is connected up and used, the weight of the luser, when the user inclines back- Wardly acts to maintain the seat in coupled relation with respect to the seat board and the element 9 takes up the strain of the weight of the occupant.

The element 9 is detachably secured to element I to permit it to be removed when occasion requires for the purpose of laundering it. When element 9 is to be connected to the element I the tube or hem I5 is mounted on part 8 of element I by sliding the tube on one of the parts 4, 1 until the tube or hem I5 is arranged on part 8 in a manner as shown in Figure 1. After element 9 has been arranged in the manner aforesaid, the rung 25- is extended through the tube `parallel, horizontally disposed parts providing an open front and rear base portion and an inverted yoke-shaped portion extending upwardly from the rear of the base portion and providing a skeleton back portion =clsed at its top and open at its bottom, a suspended bendable web arranged within said portions having a part thereof oonstituting the seat and another part constituting the back of the chair, said web having one of its ends encompassing and loosely and removably attached to the top of said back portion, a rung arranged within the open front of said base, said web, intermediate its ends encompassing and loosely and removably attached to said rung, couplers extending into the outer ends of said horizontal parts for detachably connecting the base of 'said supporting element upon a support, and means extending through said horizontal parts, couplers and rung for detachably connecting the rung, couplers and web to the base portion oi' said supporting element.

2. A portable chair comprising a frame-like supporting element having a pair of spaced parallel horizontally disposed parts providing an open front and rear base portion and an inverted yokeshaped portion extending upwardly from the rear of the base portion and providing a skeleton back portion closed at its top and open at its bottom, a suspended bendable web arranged within said portions having a part thereof constituting the seat and another part constituting the back of the chair, said web having one of its ends encompassing and loosely and removably attached to the top of said back portion, a rung arranged within the open front of said base, said web. intermediate its ends encompassing and loosely and removably attached to said rung, couplers extending into the outer ends of said horizontal parts for detachably connecting the base of said supporting element upon a support, and means extending through said horizontal parts, couplers and rung for detachably connecting the ning, couplers and web to the base portion of said supporting element, that part of said web forming the seat of the chair being provided with a cushion.

3. A portable chair comprising a frame-like supporting element formed of an open front and rear horizontal base portion and an upstanding open bottom and closed top back portion, a bendable web suspended in said portions having a part thereof constituting the seat of the chair and a part thereof constituting the back of the chair, said web being formed at one end with means for loosely and removably attaching it to the closed top of said back portion, a rung arranged in the open front of said base, said web formed intermediate its ends with means for loosely and removably attaching it to said rung, couplers extending into said supporting element and disposed in depending relation'twith respect to the open front of said base portion, and means extending through the sides of said element, said couplers and said rung for detachably connecting said couplers, rung and web to the front of the base portion of said element.

4. A portable chair comprising a frame-like supporting element formed of an open front and rear horizontal base portion and an upstanding open bottom and closed top back portion, a bendable web suspended in said portions having a part thereof constituting the seatoi the chair and a part thereof constituting the back of the chair, 5 said web being formed at one end with means for loosely and removably attaching it to the closed top of said back portion, a rung arranged in the open front ot said base, said web formed intermediate its ends withmeans 4i'or loosely and removably attaching it to said rung, couplers extending into said supporting element and disposed in depending relation with respect to the open front of said base portion, and means extending through the sides of said element, said couplers and said rung for detachably connecting said couplers, rung and web to the front of, the base portion of said element, that part of said web forming the seatof the chair having attached thereto a cushion. l

5. In a portable seat for the purpose set forth, a frame-like supporting element having an open front baseportion and closed top upstanding rear portion, a rung arranged in the open front of said base portion, a combined chair seat and chair back forming element suspended in said supporting element and loosely and removably connected respectively to said rung and to the top of said rear portion, spaced parallel upstanding couplers extending into said supporting element and disposed in depending relation with respect to the open front of said base portion, and means extending through said supporting element, said couplers and said rung for detachably connecting said couplers, rung and chair seat and chair back forming element to said supporting element.

6. In a portable seat for the purpose set forth, a frame-like supporting element having an open front base portion and closed top upstanding rear portion, a rung arranged in the open front of said base portion, a combined chair seat and chair back forming element suspended in said supporting element and loosely and removably connected respectively to said rung and to the top of said rear portion, spaced parallel upstanding couplers extending into said supporting element and disposed in depending relation with respect to the open front of said base portion, and means extending through said supporting element, said couplers and said rung for detachably connecting said couplers, rung and chair seat and chair back forming element to said supporting element,

said rung being arranged relatively to said base portion to constitute a brace for the latter, and said means having parts thereof arranged relatively to said base portion to prevent the spreading of the base portion at its open front.

"l. In a portable seat for the purpose set forth, a frame-like supporting element having an open front base portion and closed top upstanding rear portion, a rung arranged in the open front of said base portion, a combined chair seat and chair back forming element suspended in said supporting element and loosely and removably connected respectively to said rung and to the top of said rear portion, spaced parallel upstanding couplers extending into said supporting element and disposed in depending relation with respect to the open front of said base portion, and means extending through said supporting element, said couplers and' said rung for detachably connecting said couplers, rung and chair seat and chair back forming element to said supporting element, and a cushion for said chair seat part, said cushion being secured to and arranged within said combined chair seat and chair back forming elcment.

8. In a portable seat for the purpose set forth, a frame-like supporting element having an open front base portion and closed top upstanding rear portion, a rung arranged in the open front oi' said base portion, a combined chair seat and chair back forming element suspended in said supporting element and loosely and removably connected respectively to said rung and to the top of. said rear portion, spaced parallel upstanding couplers extending into said supporting element and disposed in depending relation with respect to the asoman open iront of said hase portion. means extending through said supporting element, said cout forming element to said supporting element. said rung being arranged relatively to said base portion to constitute a brace for the latter, said means having parts thereof arranged relatively to said base portion to prevent the spreading of the base portion at its open iront. 'and a cushion for said chair seat part, said cushion being secured Vto and arranged within said combined chair seat and chair back forming element.

CARL E. BCWLES. 

